According to a recent investigation by the Public Employment Security Office, the rate of employing mentally disordered persons is increasing. In the report, it was predicted that the number of employed mentally disordered persons will exceed the number of physically disordered persons within a few years, and will become the highest of the main three disabled types.
Despite the strong desire of mentally disordered persons to work, supporting systems have been inadequate. In 2007, mental clinic doctors in Osaka took the lead and established the NPO Osaka Job Support Network for Mentally Disordered Persons (JSN) to support their employment persons.
We aimed to establish a support system for mentally disordered persons who have a strong will to work, stating "I would like to work" to their family doctors, who introduce JSN to the patients, and then the family doctors and JSN cooperate to support the patients to realize the desire to "work".
Since April 2013, 49 persons have found a job and "graduated" from JSN. Over 6 years until the end of March, 2013, a total of 154 persons found jobs and "graduated" from JSN. From now on, it is expected that around 50 persons will find jobs and "graduate" from JSN every year.
It is definitely insufficient just to repeat "temporary" medical treatment for mental disorders with a long course like schizophrenia. A care management view that values the hopes and dreams of patients is required in psychiatric treatment.
<Author's abstract>
Facts Visualized through Job Support Activities for Mentally Disordered Persons -What is the Objective of Medical Treatment for Mental Disorder?-
Kusunoki Clinic
NPO Osaka Job Support Network for Mentally Disordered Persons (JSN)
NPO Osaka Job Support Network for Mentally Disordered Persons (JSN)
Psychiatria et Neurologia Japonica
116: 493-498, 2014
<Keywords:employment of disabled person, job support, mental clinic, recovery, cooperation>